I have just finished sharing the Remembrance Day Celebration in Ottawa via television. It was a very emotional celebration—–warm, poignant and solemn. The prime minister and his wife were there, the governor general and his wife, Princess Royal Anne, the lady who was chosen to represent all Canadian mothers, the top heads of the different branches of the armed forces and tens of thousands of people of different colours, ages, religion, shapes and sizes. More people, it was mentioned attended the event held at the Monument of the Unknown Soldiers, due to the fresh memory of the horrific events about three weeks ago when two Canadian soldiers lost their lives in violent circumstances, one of them right at the said monument.
It was a great day to be a Canadian! That was the first statement of a broadcaster covering the event. He was not referring to the beautiful sunshine and mild temperature of the day. He was talking of the masses of people who quietly and orderly found a place in the large square giving room for one another, protecting and providing seats for the infirm, allowing children spaces in front, fathers carrying their sons and daughters on their shoulders. No pushing or dodging, no loud or unpleasant exchanges of words. Everybody was there to honour the memories of the beloved Canadians who were mostly in the prime of youth when they went to the battlefield to fight for freedom.
The monument was in honour of fallen soldiers in the first and second world wars but those who died in subsequent conflicts were also mentioned.
All listened and paid homage to these men and women as they were honoured by speeches, prayers, music and flower offerings. All those men and women, adults, seniors and children, who were born here and had relatives among those soldiers, plus those who eventually came to this land and those who have just landed. We are all people of Canada whom our armed forces protect; we are all Canadians!
The National Anthem was sung: O Canada, Our home and native land, (Wait, this is not my native land.)
True patriot love in all thy sons command. (I am not a son or daughter of Canada, but I am now a citizen. I can probably be called an adopted child). Does it matter?
Many Canadians have suggested that those parts of the national anthem be changed but there has been strong opposition from some groups saying that it will destroy an important Canadian tradition.
As the celebration was going on, several reporters talked with people around about their impressions and who they were thinking about this Remembrance Day. One lady talked about her father whom she never met. He was twenty six years old when he was called to duty. He never came back. She knew he was a good man, according to her mother.
I was not in Canada during the two world wars. I was in the Philippines. I was eleven when we were invaded by the Japanese. I remember that my eldest brother was taken for forced labor. He was seventeen. He never came back. I have a cousin who was a soldier and joined the Death March in 1942. He survived but he had what is called now a PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). He lived in a world of his own until he passed away.
Would these memories fit on Remembrance Day in Canada? Of course they would. My brother and my cousin served for the same goals that our Canadian soldiers died for.
As the camera roamed from one face to another in crowd I saw different colours and shapes. I was able to identify members of the First Nations, Asians, Afro-Americans, many probably from the West Indies, Middle-East people, brown people who were probably Latino or Hispanic. They were in the lines of soldiers marching in the parade or in the crowd of spectators. There were colourful costumes that give away their country of origin. There were veils, turbans and unique hats. And there were their accents when they talked. They are the people that make up this country we call Canada.
These soldiers whose memories we commemorate died for Canada, a land of peace and order and of freedom. As long as we have the legal papers to prove that we are residents of this country, we are entitled to its protection.
When a new immigrant arrives on Canadian soil, information and services assist him/her to go to a settlement organization. This is the place that helps the newcomer find a home to live, to prepare for a job, make connection with members of the community.
Little by little, the newcomer learns the do’s and don’ts in the Canadian setting. There are questions you do not ask like — “How old are you? , How much do you earn?” You do not ask people when you meet someone in the street— “Saan ka nanggaling? or “Saan ka pupunta?”
It will take about two years if you are a willing learner to settle and be used to the ways of communication, verbal or non-verbal. Each day is a learning day, Filipinos easily adjust. We also have our own values that make other people like us. We pick up a few and drop a few. Filipinos stand up for the values that Canadians revere. We can easily become a part of this country we call Canada. We are Filipino- Canadians.
Rosalina E. Bustamante
November 12, 2014
